Intrathoracic lymphangioma

Of 14 cases of intrathoracic lymphangioma, 4 occurred in the anterior, 5 in the superior, and 4 in the posterior mediastinum. One lesion was diffuse and associated with disappearing bone disease (Gorham's disease). The anterior mediastinal lymphangiomas occurred in adults and seemed to arise from the mediastinum. They could not be distinguished from other anterior mediastinal lesions on plain film roentgenograms. The lesions of the superior mediastinum were extensions from cystic hygromas of the neck and occurred primarily in children. Recurrence was common because complete resection was not possible. Computed tomography was helpful in detecting the cervical extension and cystic nature of these lesions. Although two of the four posterior compartment lesions were isolated lymphangiomas, the other two were part of a much more extensive and generalized lymphangiomatosis that included bone lesions and subdiaphragmatic extension. Both of these latter cases were complicated by chylothorax after attempted removal of the mediastinal lymphangioma. Computed tomography and lymphangiography were helpful in determining the extent of the disease and the cystic and lymphatic nature of the mass. The patient with Gorham's disease had extensive lymphangiomatosis of the thorax and recurrent chylothorax; surgical treatment was unsuccessful. Although lymphangioma is a benign tumor, its infiltrative tendency complicates its removal and contributes to its postoperative recurrence.